BAY CITY, MI — A fleet of tall ships were mustering in Saginaw Bay at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, preparing to sail into the Saginaw River for the Parade of Sail marking the start of the Tall Ship Celebration.

The first ships are scheduled to reach the mouth of the Saginaw River shortly before 1 p.m. and will proceed into downtown Bay City.

The tall ships are expected to arrive in groups, with the first flight consisting of the Lynx, Pathfinder and Niagara, the second flight consisting of the Pride of Baltimore II, Playfair and Sorlandet, the third flight consisting of the Peacemaker, Madeline and Unicorn, and the fourth flight consisting of the Denis Sullivan and Appledore IV.

The Appledore and Denis Sullivan had arrived early in Bay City on Thursday. As of 12:40 p.m. the Denis Sullivan appeared to be headed back out to the Saginaw Bay.